Wheelchair Lifts - Anyone Know Ballpark Cost?

[fionas]

Our house has steps at the front which is one of the main reasons I've been thinking of moving as it's very difficult to get a stroller up and down them with a dodgy pelvis and will be even trickier to get a double stroller up and down if we have another baby.

Initially I was thinking a ramp but ramps aren't great because you still have to hold the weight of the pram, it's just that your legs aren't going up and down. So still bad for pelvis.

THEN, I saw something that could solve the problem - a wheelchair lift!!! Basically you drive yourself onto the platform, press a button and it takes you up to the top and then you get off. If they make them for wheelchairs, I can't see why they couldn't be adapted for prams.

I've emailed the company but I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with them particularly the cost. I know they won't be cheap but I'm wondering just how expensive - like $2K, $5K or more?

[LimeSlice]

Love the thought Fiona!

We looked into getting one some years ago now (about 12, so a while!) for my dad to use inside the house.
At the time, from memory, one to go up a full flight of stairs was about $7000+...mum and dad decided we should just move house as mum didn't want to be tied to the house forever lol

Anyway, like I said that was a long while ago now so prolly not very helpful. But I don't imagine they would be cheap - and if you want to move anyway...

Also not sure how well they go outside in the weather?

GL

[fionas]

Thanks Limeslice - that's about what I was thinking. Not cheap but a lot cheaper than paying $40K stamp duty and $10K+ in real estate agent fees so for me it would be worth the outlay and would make life so much easier. My options at the moment are either to drag the stroller up the steps with DD in it (not easy physically) and bash around the brakes on the back of the stroller OR to take DD out and then take the stroller up. That option's easier physically but DD tends to then come back down the steps and out the gate, then I have to run after her!!!

[AnyDream]

Fiona, have you tried ringing some agencies like the Red Cross who might have these sorts of things available to HIRE...??! Also, ring around, they could be available through occupational therapy dept at your hospital, or they would be a good place to start your enquiries.

[LimeSlice]

Ah yes! lol Chasing after her again would obviously defeat the attempt at physical ease!

I hope they are helpful and you can get one for outside.